Linda Cliatt-Wayman

Linda Cliatt-Wayman is an education leader and bestselling author of Lead Fearlessly whose work transforming some of Philadelphia’s most dangerous failing schools into safe learning environments has made her a national symbol of what is possible when leaders refuse to accept excuses. Her mantra So What So What Now What became the rallying cry for students teachers and communities who had been written off showing that culture change starts with a leader who believes every person deserves dignity high expectations and the refusal to quit. Cliatt-Wayman’s powerful presentations inspire leaders in any field to confront hard truths take ownership of results and lead with the kind of courage that transforms organizations and changes lives.

Wayman grew up in poverty in North Philadelphia, where she experienced firsthand the injustice perpetuated against poor students in their education. She vowed to dedicate her life to helping as many children escape poverty through education as she could.

Wayman’s powerful leadership and the success of her students caused people to take notice. Her acclaimed 2015 TED Talk has been viewed over 2 million times. She’s been featured by Diane Sawyer on ABC World News Tonight and Nightline. Her book, Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard, is beloved by educators. And in 2016, she was named a Top 50 Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize out of over 8,000 nominees from around the world. Above all, Linda Cliatt-Wayman is driven by her love for children. She ended her morning announcements to her students each day by saying, “remember, if no one told you they loved you today, remember I do and always will.”

Wayman earned her BA from Kutztown University and her MA from St. Joseph’s University. She spent 20 years as a special education teacher before becoming principal of FitzSimons High School in 2003. Wayman led a turnaround of FitzSimons from a school known for low levels of academic achievement and high levels of violence to a safe space focused on learning. In 2005 she was given the opportunity to open The Young Women’s Leadership School at Rhodes High School in North Philly. Once again, Wayman led a turnaround at Rhodes. Before she arrived, only 3% of students were proficient in math and 9% were proficient in reading. By holding students and staff alike to high expectations, providing intense professional development to her staff, building a strong leadership team, and always believing in and loving her students, Wayman oversaw the growth of Rhodes so that the majority of students were proficient in math and reading and 94% of seniors were accepted into college.

Wayman spent two years as Assistant Superintendent of High Schools for the School District of Philadelphia, directly overseeing all of the district’s 52 high schools. But when the district decided to merge her two former schools, FitzSimons and Rhodes, with another North Philadelphia High School, Strawberry Mansion, Wayman knew she had to step in to lead the merged school as principal. At Strawberry Mansion, not far from the North Philadelphia neighborhood where she grew up, Wayman and her team once again proved what is possible for low-income children. Test scores improved every year after Wayman took over, and the school was removed from the federal Persistently Dangerous Schools list for the first time in five years.

Now, Wayman works to impact as many children as she can be developing the leadership of current and future school leaders.

• How to Fix a Broken School? Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard